2024


MSP Investigating homicide in Hartford, South Bend man arrested

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20242 min read

Michigan State Police (MSP) Paw Paw Post troopers are investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday, Dec. 14, around 6:49 a.m. in the 66000 block of 70th Street, in Hartford Township. Units were initially dispatched to the venue to investigate a…

Paw Paw Lions Club prepares over 600 Christmas baskets

Paw Paw Lions Club prepares over 600 Christmas baskets

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20241 min read

Marking the 47th year, Christmas baskets for 82 families were prepared by members of the Paw Paw Lions Club and others, as part of the club’s Community Christmas Baskets program. The baskets, located at the Paw Paw Lions Club building,…

Emergency bond hearing to be held for man accused of killing child with vehicle

Robert TomlinsonDec 22, 20243 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — An emergency bond hearing will be set in the case of a man who allegedly killed a 10-year-old with his vehicle in Sherman Township earlier this month. In a hearing Friday, Dec. 20, St.…

Sutra Indian Cuisine brings taste of India to downtown TR

Sutra Indian Cuisine brings taste of India to downtown TR

Robert TomlinsonDec 20, 20246 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Growing up in India, Pardeep Kumar said that between his mother’s home cooking and the wide range of cultures, food was a big part of his life. Living in a country with plenty…

AR Boys Basketball for Dec 20

AR Boys Basketball for Dec 20

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20245 min read

Vandercook Lake Earns First Boys Basketball Victory Photo, story by Jeff Steers Recorder Contributing Writer Vandercook Lake High School earned its first win of the season in boys basketball. The Jayhawks defeated Manchester 40-34 at home last week. Here are…

Looking Out: A Living Tree

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20243 min read

by Jim Whitehouse Usually, my beloved wife Marsha and I go to a tree farm and cut a fresh Christmas tree in the hopes that the inside of our car and house will remain needle free. This year, we had…

Obituary: Elizabeth (Libby) Hull

Obituary: Elizabeth (Libby) Hull

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20244 min read

Elizabeth (Libby) Hull, 101, died Monday, Dec. 16, at Heritage Assisted Living in Battle Creek. She was born Nov. 18, 1923, in a farmhouse outside Marshall, Michigan to Clarence (Mac) and Blanche McFadden. Soon after, the couple divorced so she…

Obituary: Rhea Jessie Watson Hotchkin

Obituary: Rhea Jessie Watson Hotchkin

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20244 min read

Rhea Jessie Watson Hotchkin went home to Jesus on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. She is preceded in death by her husband Max (2004), son Stan (2009), grandson Brian, younger brothers Dale, Phil, and Bing (Gary) and her parents, Kenneth and…

Albion City Council closes out the year

Albion City Council closes out the year

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20245 min read

By KARA DECHALK Contributing Writer The Dec. 2 meeting of the Albion City Council began with a heartfelt farewell letter read by former precinct 4 council member Marcola Lawler.  Lawler was unseated in the November election by challenger C. J.…

Interim Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps on keeping ADPS moving forward

Interim Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps on keeping ADPS moving forward

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20247 min read

Sylvia Benavidez Interim Albion Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps had the honor of seeing one of his new public safety officers graduate from Kellogg Community College on Dec. 15. With Lt. Bill Timmins at his side, Phipps was happy to…

Jackson County board cuts sheriff’s budget by $615,000

Jackson County board cuts sheriff’s budget by $615,000

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20243 min read

By Ken Wyatt Despite public pressure against it in a year-end budget crisis, the county board has approved $615,000 in cutbacks to the Jackson County Sheriff’s budget. The crucial decisions were made Tuesday evening at the County Tower Building. In…

Girls’ Basketball Roundup Sturgis wins two over Niles, Portage Northern

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20247 min read

STURGIS — The Lady Trojans picked up their second win of the season against host Niles last Friday, outpointing the Vikings, 50-33.“This was a great win,” Sturgis head coach Andy Phillips said. “We battled on defense and that created opportunities…

Obituary: Maxine “Mickey” (Matthews) (Cowdery) Frymire

Obituary: Maxine “Mickey” (Matthews) (Cowdery) Frymire

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20242 min read

Maxine “Mickey” (Matthews) (Cowdery) Frymire passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 5, 2024. The daughter of Donald C. Matthews and Edith Crouch Matthews. Mickey grew up and started school in Fountain and later in Ludington, Michigan. Her first…

Obituary: Mary Jo (Smagala) Stieglitz

Obituary: Mary Jo (Smagala) Stieglitz

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20243 min read

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our mother Mary Jo (Smagala) Stieglitz known to many as MJ. She was 73.Mary Jo was born in Detroit, MI to Jane and Raymond Smagala on September 2, 1951. The oldest of…

Obituary: Elizabeth “Betty” Jane Sarhatt

Obituary: Elizabeth “Betty” Jane Sarhatt

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20243 min read

Elizabeth “Betty” Jane Sarhatt, 90, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully Monday, December 16, 2024, at her home at Corey Lake surrounded and loved by her family.She was born on September 22, 1934 in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of Carl…

TR Fire Dept. ladder truck to undergo repairs Parcel acquisition near airport, change order for airport easement project also approved; two property owners to be ‘displaced’

TR Fire Dept. ladder truck to undergo repairs Parcel acquisition near airport, change order for airport easement project also approved; two property owners to be ‘displaced’

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20244 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The Three Rivers Fire Department’s 26-year-old ladder truck will be undergoing repairs in the near future. During Tuesday’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting, commissioners approved an increase of up to $50,000 in a…

“Out and About” The ‘waiting game,’ fun facts and maintaining sanity

“Out and About” The ‘waiting game,’ fun facts and maintaining sanity

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20242 min read

If you haven’t already heard, as of this date, I still have not had my by-pass surgery. It seems that the people at Priority Health have not communicated with each other and as a result, have not approved my surgery.…

Sturgis Department of Public Safety presents 5-year plan, reveals survey results

Sturgis Department of Public Safety presents 5-year plan, reveals survey results

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20245 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Department of Public Safety presented a five-year strategic plan at a special work session Dec. 11 involving the city commission and staff.The plan was created with guidance from city staff, department members, input from elected officials…

Bond request for Bohne denied, trial to be delayed

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20243 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A bond request for a woman accused of killing her 2-year-old child was denied by a judge Monday.St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman denied a bond motion for Paige Nichole Bohne…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20242 min read

RECURRINGChildren’s story time, 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Friday, Sturgis District Library.Sturgis Area Model Railroaders winter hours at Sturgis Historical Museum, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.  Dec. 20Half-day at Sturgis Public Schools. Dec. 23-31Winter recess for Sturgis Public…